morris



June 28, 1932',

Hl l. MORRIS SWITCH MEANS original Filed May 2 1927 v-2 `sheets-sheet .v 2

A m. m im mm m N T v/ T. .D MM HY, B

Remsd 2s,

l Re. 13,567

i fummo `sflzrr-Es'f' MurI :tlSrr -o-Frics 'i now'nw 1. xomusQor mx'nwoon, onIo, l.marcaron 'ro m Yonnnmonnrs cox- .ramn or omo, a conrona'rmn or onto yswrror: Inns' l This invention relates to mechanism adapted to be operated or controlled by the passage of a vehicle'wheel over a switch means tected from the elements, water, condensation of moisture and electrical currents in the capable of preventing engagement of the disposed in its path' of movement, more particularly to an improved switch means,

whereby an electric circuit for such mechanism is controlled, .Y f

One object of the invention is to provide an. improved switch means in'which the con- -tact elements thereof are completely promaterial forming the hedor surface or on which the switch means is positioned.

improved mountingfor its contact elements latter except by the passing over the mounting'o'f ra relatively heavy weight.

Another object of the invention is to pro-4 vide an improved switch mountin formed of a protecting material, whereby eteriora- A-tion of the switch contacts and danger of v'short cireuiting thereof due tocondensation of moisture is substantially eliminated.-

Another object of the invention is to mountt the switch contacts in operative relation in Yvide an improved switch .means that `is relatively simple-and durable.v

eration 'at all times. Other ob'ects of the invention will be Yapmy inventionrelates from tlie following com Yanying drawings whereinl 1 is a view, partl plan and partlyV .di mmatic,' showing one -applicatlo'n` of,

my improved switch means to control a powerV operated mechanism;

`Fig? 13 2 is a diagram of the-:circuits for-the switc means 'and mechanism shown in Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch means having an:

Another object of the invention is to r vide an improved switch means 'wlc is' readily installed and capable1 o f p ositive op-'r 'way le (sserig. 23

-animi n. 1,785,963, ma augura?, laas. semi -n. Isaias, mea-luy a, m7. appuoeion for :rename j mea umn se, 1931.

seran ne. 595.57.

shown mounted in the drive way;

a Fi 4 is @section onine liner-4 of Figs.

. Fi 5 is asection on the line 5- 5 of Figs, 3 an 4;

Fi 6 is a section onithe of 3 an showingl-the operation -of the switc means when t over it;

Fig.

switc contact elements;`

more of its wheels 1 pass vover it,-the' weight e .wheel of ai vehicle passes' 7 is a fragmentarysection slightlyenlarged on the line 5'-5 of Figs. a3. and 4; Fi 8 is a perspective view of one of the Fig. 9 is a vlongitudinal sectional view show-f inia slightly different form of construction. y improved switch means, indicatedas an'I entiret at l, is adapted'to. he mo'untedin the:

. path o Va moving vehicle sol-that when-one or mi I thereof causes contact between a pair of .con-

tacts, designated 2,' 3, in the drawings, to c lose an electrical circultfA, which directly; or indirectly effects operation of asuitable deviceor mechanism. The switch means maybe Vmounted on the bed constituting'the road or driving surfacel for the vehicle and an :l1`ored-l in position in anyvsuitable-manner o r its casing may be embedded therein. It will be evident that my improved switch means'may'be employed for variouspur oses, for example,A

forco'ntrolling a circuit, or` signalling purposes, whereby a signal or an valarm is 'actuated ata distant ploint, as'at'a street inter-- section; orV for lig purpose for which'it may be' `employed consists in operating a door opening-and: closing ting purposes. Another mechanism,vv this" latter use of my invention being lshown in'Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 1 and 2, B indicates agarage hav- `ing one o r more doors b, preferably arranged tofswin on-hinges b'. C indicatesa drlves Y ng to the garage and showin myimproved switch means I associated wit the,

driveway in position for one or more wheels 1 of a-vehicle,to`pass over it when moving in either direction. "D indicates an operating mechanism and having drivenelements` d operated by an electric motor normally ooonootod ohoooghiioks d" with tho doors b to swing them open and to swing them closed each time the switch means operates or under the conditions hereinafter referred to.. The operating mechanism D and circuits (hereinafter described) therefor, form the subj ect matter of a separate, co-pendingapplication, Ser. No. 7,087, so that a detail description and illustration thereof 4will not be necessary. The circuit A is preferably arranged to operyate a magnetic switch F which in turn closesl a separate circiut to maintain the motor d in operation, following which the circuit A opens, as will later appear. The circuit A is open, but is closed when the vehicle passes `over the switch meansl, as shown in Fig. 6. IThe circuit A consists of the electric supply main 4, a lead 5 connected with the main 4 and one of the switch-conwheel 1 tacts for example contact 2, and a lead 6 connected to the other contact (3), and an electricsuppl main4a and a lead 4a connected to the lead' 6, at 6a; and also to one side of the motor d by a lead 4b. For a urpose which l-will later appear, the coil 'f o the magnetic switch F is connected in series in the lead 6. 7 indicates a lead connected to the main 4 and connected through a 'switch 8 to the other side of the motor (Z. The switch 8 comprises ;a air of contacts 8', `8 and the magnetic switch armature. f which makes contact with the contacts 8 when the coil f of the magnetic switch F is energized. 9 indicates a lead connected to the lead 6 and the lead 7. Ac-

`` cordingly, it 'will be seen that when the switch means l is operated by the engagement lof contacts 2, 3, (1) the motor circuit A is first established through leads 4a 4a', leads 4, 5, contacts 2, 3, and ead 6, (2)

the motor circuit A '1 is established by the mains 4a, 4a' and 4b to one side of the motor; and' (3) a shunt circuit i is establish-od by tho lood 9,; botwoon tho loods v 6 and 7, which serves to maintain the armaturev coil f energized u on the disengagement of the contacts 2, 3. rom the foregoing description it will lbe seen that upon the closing of the circuit A across the switch contacts 2, 3, the motor d will be set in'o ration and continue to operate so long as t c maglllineticlswitch coil 'f' remains energized'even -if the contacts 2 3 become disengaged as is the case after thewheel 1 passes ovd'r the switch means 1. 10 indicates a switch interposed in the lead 9 and normally closed. The

i switch lisactuated by a device 11 (such as a v cam)- on one of the moving parts (preferably one of the elements d) o the mechanism 'D and positioned to operate the switch 10 to open the shunt circuit and deenergizesthe icoilf when the doors reach or approach their full open or full closed position. 12- indicates a normally closed'switch interposed in thelead 9 in series with the switch 10 and opened automatically by a relatively mova le. element (not shown),-lwhi'ch element is actuated when undue resistance to the movement of one or both doors b results, as when either door meets with an obstruction.

As already set forth, the contacts 2, 3, of

theswitch means 1 are normally out of contact. When moved into engagement by the passage of a Wheel or wheels .1' over the switch means the circuit A will be closedwith the result that the motor d will be set in operation; likewise the shuntcircuit will be' closed vsubstantially simultaneously so that upon ,the wheel or wheels 1 rolling over beyond the switch means, the disengagement of the contacts thereof will not stop the motor d. The circuit A may be closed by any one of a plurality of switches (one being shown at la-Fig 2) is connected in parallel with the leads 5 6. Once thel shunt circuit is closed, the separate motor circuit across the contacts 8.-8 will be maintained and the motor kept running until the vshunt circuit is opened automatically by the switches 10 or 12 under the conditions already set forth, or manually b a normally closed switch 1b, also interpose in the shuntcircuit.

Of. the switchmeans 1, 13 indicates a support comprising a base 14 having thickened sides andends to form upstanding walls 14a cooperating to form a pocket or recess-for a mounting 15 to be later-referred to. 16 in' dicatesfa plurality of anchoring devices depending from the base 14 and adapted to bc embedded in the bed of the surface, which in the illustrated application of m4 inven. 166

tion constitutes the driveway C. e anchoring devices may beof any desired shape and construction to vform an interlock with materials of the bed. The devices 16 are Y preferably formed integral with base 14.

, 17 indicates a casing preferably disposed at-one endof the b ase 14 and having its walls.

formed integral therewith. The casing1 is closed on all sides except its Atop w ch registers with an opening 18 formed in the base 14. The casing contacts 2, 3, respectively may be suitabl con- .nected or spliced to the ends of the lea s 5, 6,-

the latter extending through a conduit 19 having its end mounted in an opening in o'ne f wall of the casing. The top of thecasing may lbe closed by a cover 17a fitted to a rabbeted ortion in the base 14 and formed with openings for the leads 2a, 3a. -Y

The contacts 2, 3, comprise strips of-suitable conducting material extending lonftudinally substantially from end to end of t mounting 15 and centrally thereof and yby preference each strip is continuous from end to end. As will be understood, the contacts 17 forms a chamber wherein the `leads 2a, 3a, connected to the'l 2, 3, are embedded wit-hin the vmounting 15 andthe latter (with the leads 2a, 3a, connected to the ,contacts 2, 3, and leading therefrom) is cured or otherwise treated accord ing to the character-of the material of whichl the central longitudinal portions 2', 3', of the contact strips are disposed within the cavity, preferably against the upper and lower faces or walls thereof, and out of contact with each other. The lateral side portions 21 of each' contact strip are held in spaced relation by cushioning means, which permits the central portion 2 3', to make contact, one with the other, when the -upper contact strip is depressed. In the present disclosure the cushioning means is rovided b making the mounting of tlexib e materia preferably 1 having resiliency, and embedding these lateral portions 21 in the material beyond the side walls of the cavity 20, so that when the portions of the material between the lateral portions 21 of the strips will maintain the central portions 2', 3' thereof in spaced relation, as clearly shown in'Figs. 5 and 7 and permit of their contact one with the other, b

the compression of these spacing portions 15 The central portions 2', 3', of the strips 2, 3, are preferably of concavo-convex shape in cross section and the convex surfaces thereof are in opposed relation to more readily effect their contact to close the circuit A. Furthermore the lateral portions are provided with spaced upset sections or members 22, so that the material 15' of the. mounting 15 and metal of the portions 21 are interlocked to anchor the strips 2,3, in aligned operative position and against creeping in any direction. By preference the strips 2, 3, are similar in construction and each formed of resilient material in order to more effectively cause their disengagement when pressure on the mounting 15 is relieved, and even in' this form of construction only the upper contact 3 need be sovformed; in the broader aspects of the invention the normal out of Contact relation of the contacts 2, 3, may be provided by making the mounting 15 of resilient material such as rubber, or simply providing resilient means between the lateral portions 2,1 of the contacts.

The mounting 15 is preferably formed of rubber since such material embodies certain advantageous characteristics, to wit, it is relatively cheap and readily made; it has high insulation properties; it is -impervious to water and therefore hermetically sea-ls' the cavity 2O and the contacts; so that condensation of moisture can not take place within the cavity or upon the contacts 2, 3, to ail'ect their functioning to close and break the circuit A; it may he made with sufficient resiliency to permit flexing of the contact 3 and its quick return to normal position after the relief of pressure on its upper surface; it may be readily shaped'to effect yielding above the contacts; it is durable and lasting and its repeated compression does not affect its life and has little or no eiifect upon its resiliency..

The mountingl is `removably mounted in the recess between the' upsta'nding walls 14a, its sides and ends being interlocked of a character which seals the joint between themounting and walls 14a and forms between them a tighter joint as well as revents distortion of the mounting or its isplacement in the base when a vehicle wheel runs over it.

v For these purposes the upstanding walls ,14a are provided with inwardly extending flanges 14a which provide a space below them, and the sides of the mounting'are provided along their lower portions with flanges 23 which iit into rthisspace, these flanges forming an interlock between the mounting 15 and the side walls 14a.

Theupper surface of themounting 15 is `preferably convex so that the central portion 15a above the contacts 2, 3, will be relatively thick4 to insure the movement of the upper contact 3 into engagement with the contact 2. To insure the bearing of the full weight of the wheel and' its load on the central portion 15a of the mounting, those longi- 'therewith, such interlocking preferably being tudinal portions 15b ,along either side of the central portion 15a are made to yield or flex more readily than the ycentral portion 15a, so that they. will not support the wheel and henceprevent compression of the central por! tion as the wheel passes over the mounting. For this purpose, the under side of the 1nount ing 15 is formed with two longitudinally extending grooves 24, with ythe result that, the thickness of the walls of the portions 15a will be reduced and the grooves form spaces to receive the portions 15a when compressed and thus reduces the tendency of distortionA due to iiattening out of the materialv under the weight of the wheel as 'would be the case if the portions 15a were solid between their upper and lower surfaces'.

The switch means 1 may be used to Iclose the circuit each time a wheel 1 passes over it and hence when so operated. the doors 7),

'car is drivenout of the driveway C then this switch 13' is opened by one of the doors when they are closed and the switch is closed when the doors are open. Ifit is desired to have the switch means 1 close the circuit A and op- Y claim as new and desire to secure erate the doors to opened position when a car is driven into the drivewa C, then the switch 13 is closed by one o the doors Z1 when they close and the switch is open when the doors are open.

Fig. 9 shows a slightly modified form of construction wherein the base is simplified so that it may rest flat on the' driveway, instead of being embedded therein and anchored by depending members 16a. In this form of construction, the base comprises a plate 14m of suitable sheet metal and a frame 15m having side and end members which form a recess for the mounting 15, the inner side walls ofthese members being similar in construction to lcorresponding walls of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. The anchoring devices 16a and walls of lthe junction chamber 17. are preferably formed integrally with the frame members.

and the plate 14m may be secured thereto in any suitable manner.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changes lin construction and widely. differing .applications and embodiments of my invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limitlaving described my invention, what I y by Letters Patent, is: Y l

, l. A switch comprising a body of material, contactsy having portions embedded in said material and portions in superposed relation arranged to contactone with the other when said body is compressed, means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally maintaining their contacting portions out of contact.Y

2. A switch comprising a body of protecting material, contacts having portions embedded in said material and portions in superposed relation arranged to contact one y with the other when 'said body is compressed,

means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally maintaining their contacting portions out of contact.

3. A switch comprising a body of insulation material, contacts having portions yembedded in said material and portions in superposed relation arranged to Contact one with the other when said body is compressed, means connected with said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit, and compressible means interposed between portions of said contacts and normally maintaining their contacting portions out of contact.

4. A switch comprising a body of lle''ible insulation material formed with an interior cavity and contacts having portions embed-` 6. A switch comprising a body of flexible insulation material formed interiorly with a longitudinally extending closed cavity and strips of conducting material having yportions within and extending substantially from end to end of said cavityin opposed relation and arranged to contact to close 'a -circuit and portions embedded in said material in spaced relation and supporting said contacting portions normally out of contact, and means permitting their connection with an external circuit. n 7 A switch comprising a body of flexible insulation material formed interiorly with a relatively long closed cavity, a pair of conducting strips within and extending longitudinally of said cavity in superposed `relation and having their lateral portions embedded in said material in spaced relation whereby said strips are supported in spaced relation, and means permitting their connection with an external circuit. v

8. A switch comprising a body of flexible insulation material formed'interiorly with a relatively long closed cavity, a pair of con? ducting strips Within and extending longitudinally of said cavity in superposed relation and having their lateral portions embedded in said material in spaced relation, whereby said strips are supported in spaced relation, means permitting their connection with an external circuit, and means for'anchoring the lateral portions of said strips in said material.

9. A switch comprising a body of compressible, insulation material, a pair of contacts embedded within the interior of said body in superposed spaced relation to each other, the material between portions of said conta cts being removed to permit their contact to close a circuit when said body is depressed and leads having portionsembedded lin said body and connected to saidcontacts,l

10. In a switch, the combination of a support, a body of compressible material mounted on said support, a pair of contacts sealed within said body in superposed spaced relation to each other, and having portions disposed in opposed relation to vpermittheix leads having portions embedded in the material and connected tol said contacts.

11. In a switch, the combination of a base havin upstanding side walls, a body of comressi le insulation materialen said base tting against said walls and a pair of contacts sealed within the said'body in spaced relation to each other and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when l said body is depressed, said contacts having means lpermitting their connection with an external circuit.

12. In a switch, the'combination of a support, a'. body of flexible insulation material on said support and having a thickened body portion extending I. longitudinally throughout its central portion to provide a central elevated portion on its upper surface, a pair of conducting strips disposed in superposed spaced relation and sealed within the interior of said bod and having portions in opposed relation be ow the thickened portion of the body and arranged to contact when said elevated portions is depressed, and means per-` mitting their connection with an external circuit.

l 1??. In a switch, the combination of a base" having upstandingside walls, a body'of'comp ressible insulation material on said base f1tting against and having interlocking relation with said walls and a pair 'of contacts sealed within the said body in spaced. relation to each other` and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when said'body isdepressed, said contacts having means permitting their connection with an external circuit..

14. In a switch, the combination of a'body of insulating material, a `pair of.normally spaced contacts within said body, means con-Y nected to said contacts whereby they may be coupled to an external circuit, andthe under side ,of said body being formedlwith at least one groove to one side of vthe center of said pair of contacts.

15. Ina switch, the combination of a support, a body of compressible material mounted thereon, a pair of contacts sealed within .said body .in spaced relation to eachother and having portions disposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when said body is displaced, leads having portions embedded in said body-and connected to said contacts to permit connection with an external circuit and an anchoring device connected to said support.

` 16.- In a switch, the combination of a support, a body of compressible material mount-` ed thereon, a pair of Jcontacts sealed within said body in spaced relationv to each other and having portions vdisposed in opposed relation to permit their contact when said body in said body and connected tolsaid cont is displaced, leads having portions embedletd' c s l v pressed and lateral to permit connection with an external circuit, and a plurality of depending members, one

thereof servingv asan anchoring .device andv a ,casinginto which the other comprising said leads extend..

.17. A switch comprising a body of resilientinsulation material, a pair of contacts sealed therewithin having portions embedded in the material and normally held by the portion of the resi-lient material between them in spaced relation'and portions in superposed relation arranged to contact one with the otherv when said material is depressed, and leads connected to said contacts and extending to a point outside said material.

18. A switch'comprising a body of resilii ent rubber material, a pair of contacts sealed therewithin having portions embeddedin the material and normally heldby the of the resilient -material between t em in spaced relation and portions in super osed relation arranged to contact one wit the other'when said material ilsv depressed and leads connected to said coiitacts and extending toa point outside saidmaterial.

19. A switch comprisin a' sup ort having side walls, a Vbody of exible insulation material secured to said walls and formed withan interior cavity, contacts havingl portions in said cavity adapted to contact one ortions embedded beortion with the other whe said material is deyond the side walls o Iterial and lheld iii-spaced relation thereby,

and leads having portions embedded in said l material and connected to said contacts 20. A switch comprising a support-having side and` end walls, a body of iexible insulating material fitting said walls and formed with an interior cavity, contacts having portions in said cavity adapted to contact one with the other 'when said material is depressed and lateral portions embedded beyond the side walls of the cavity in said material and held in spaced relation thereby, means for anchoring said lateral portions in said material, and leads having portions embedded ,in saidmaterial and connected to said contacts.

21. A switch comprisingv a body of resilient material formed interiorly with a closed cavity disposed substantially midway between 'opposite edges of the bod the portions of the body at either side o the cavity being aid cavity in said macut away, contact devices havin portions em- Y bedded 4in said body in space relation and portions extending into said cavityv for contact one with the other, and means for connecting" said devices with an external circuit.

22. A (switch comprising an elongated body of resilient material formed interiorly with a longitudinally` extendingfclosed cavity, contact strips enclosed in said cavity and having lateral portions embedded in the ma-` ycontact means for 4h at said.

terial in spaced-relation and normally'supporting the strips in said cavity out of contact, and a longitudinally extendin recess formed in one surface of said body etween said cavity-and the adjacent longitudinal side edge of said body.

23. A switch comprising a body of insulating material and having a cavity, a pair of contact strips arranged withiny said cavity with their bodies and ends covered by said body of insulating material1eads extending from said strips to a point beyond said body, and means whereby said strips are normal y mxlil-intained out of electrical contact with each ot er. l

24. 'A' switch to be arrange/d Aina .vehicle lane and to he traversed byvehicles moving over such` lane, said switch comprising a pair of plates, means for normally maintaining the same out of electrical contactwith eac other, leads extending from said plates, a iiexible body of insulating material covering saidv plates and presenting a cavity within which such plates are disposed.

25. A switch to b e arranged in a'vehicle lane and to be traversed by vehicles moving over such lane, said switch comprising a 1pair of relatively wide and lengthy lates at east one of which has resilient c aracteristics, means for normally maintaining the same out of electrical contact with each other, leads extending from said plates, and a exiblebody of insulating `material covering said such plates are disposed.

26. A switch to be arran lane and to be automatica ly o in a vehicle rated by traic passin over the same,`sai switch in-y cluding a reatively longresilient contactor plate, other contact means, insulating means arranged under said contactor plate and 'hetween said contactor plate and said other o ding said contactor plate suspended over and spaced from said other contact means, said contactor plate be- Iing adapted to bend at any pointalong its length when pressure is applied and yleldingly-contact with said other contact means polnt. 27. A switch to .be arranged in a vehicle .lane and toV be automatically o rated by `trac passin over the same, sai switch including a re atively long resilient cnta-ctorgv plateother contact means, insulating means arranged under said contactor plate andbef tween said contactor plate and `said other contact means forV holding saidcontactor `plate suspended over and spaced 'from said other contact means, said contactor plate being adapted to bend at anyA oint along its len h when pressure is app 'ed and yielding y contact with said other contact means. and a. exi-ble body of' insulating material covering said contactor plate at said point.

28. A switchto be arranged ina vehicle lane and to be automatically operated by traic pasing over the same, said switch including a pair of relatively long contactor plates, at least one ofsaid contactor plates eing resilient, insulating means for holdin said plates spaced and insulated from eac other, said resilient contactor plate being adapted tobend at any oint alon Y its length when pressureis appli and yiel 'ngly contact with said other contactor plate at said point. v

29. A. switch to b e arranged in a vehicle lane and to be automatica ly operated by traliic passin over the same, said switch including' a pair of relatively long contactor f said contactor plates at said point. 4

I aiix my signature. 9o

In testimon whereof y HOWARD I;

MORRIS.

vplates .and presenting a cavity within which los las 

